Stirrup



(No Model.)

E.. A. LEINARD 8u G. W. SHEETS.

ST1-RMP. No. 403,945. Patented May 28, 1889.

N. Firms. mwmmnpmn wunmgm ula UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDGAR ALVEN LEINARD AND GEORGE WESLEY SHEETS, OF KARLE, OHIO.

STIRRU P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 403,945, dated May 28, 1889.

" i Application filed October 12, 1888. Serial No. 287,897. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it many concern:

Be it known that we, EDGAR ALVEN LEIN- ARD and GEORGE WESLEY SHEETS, citizens of the United States, residing at Karle, in the county of Villiams and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Stirrups, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in stirrups, the object being to provide a stirrup that will open automatically and release the foot of the rider when he falls from the horse; and it consists in the construction and novel combination of parts hereinafter described, illustrated in the drawings, and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a stirrup embodying the-invention, the stirrup being closed. Fig. 2 is a bottom edge view thereof.- Fig. 3 is a side view of the stirrup opened, and one part sectioned at the end to show the opening therein.

Referring to the drawings by letter, A designates the stirrup, composed, essentially, of the two lateral sections B and C, the section B being provided at its lower part with the depending edge langes, Z), which extend from its lower or inner end to a suitable distance therefrom. The lower end of the section C is pivoted in and between said lianges by the transverse rod c, which is inclosed in a transverse sleeve at the end of said section, and has its ends journaled in suitable openings in the said flanges b.

The upper free end portions of the sections B and C are bent upward vertically, and the said end of the section C has secured to and standing horizontally inward from it a bracket, D, the free end of which is bent vertically upward.

E is a block mounted on a rod or pin, e, that stands vertically inward from the end of the section C, and is secured to said end in the upturned end portion of the bracket D. The rod or pin e projects outward from its bearing in the bracket D, and forms a journal, e, that fits in the opening e2 in the upper end of the section B when the sections are closed on each other. The block E has the stirrup-strap F (shown in dotted lines) attached toit, and the bracket D prevents the section B, when its upper end is turned outward, from catching in said strap.

G is a spring having one end secured to the under surface of the section B at a suitable distance from the lower end thereof and its free end bearing upon the lower surface of the section C, in order to force the journal e into the opening e2 when the sections of the stirrup are closed on each other. The spring G, while it may be of any desired construction, is preferably of wire, having the loop g, that bears upon the section C, and the coils g near its ends, which coils surround the transverse bar or pin g2, having its ends inserted in openings in the flanges b. The ends g3 of said spring rest upon the under surface of the section B outward from the rod g2, which is situated outward from the pivotal rod c. The pivoted section B must necessarily be situated on and form the outer side of the stirrup.

The automatic operation of the stirrup is as follows: The section B being on the outside in relation to the saddle, should the rider be knocked out of his seat or fall accidentally on either side, the edge of his boot will turn the section B outward on its pivot, and will permit his foot to escape from the stirrup, thus preventing the rider from being dragged upon the ground.

Having described our invention, we claim* 1. The combination, in a stirrup, of the inner section designed to be attached to the stirrupstrap, and the outersection pivoted to the inner one at or near its lower free end and having its lower end extended across the bottom of the stirrup, whereby the foot will be carried out of the stirrup when the outer section turns on its pivot, and a spring to hold the outer section normally vertical or closed, substantially as described.

2. In a stirrup, the combination of the inner section attached to the stirrup-strap and the bracket attached to the upper end of said section below the attachment of the stirrupstrap and guarding the same, with the outer section of the stirrup pivoted intermediate of its ends to the inner section, whereby its lower portion will lie under the foot, and the spring to hold the outer section normally vertical or closed, substantially as describedA IOO 3. In a stirrup, the combination,with the inner section, C, the bracket D, and the block E, of the pivoted outer section, B, having the depending edge anges, b, adj aeent to its lower end, the transverse rod pivoting'the lower end of the section C in andbetween said flanges, and the spring forcing the said outer section upward upon its pivot after saidv section has been depressed.

4. In a stirrup, the combination, with the inner stirrup-Section, C, the bracket D, the block E, for the attachment of the stirrupstrap F, and the rod e, passing through said b lock and having the journal e outside of said bracket, of the outer stirrup-section, B, having the opening e2 for engagement upon said journal, and the spring forcing said outer section upward, substantially as specified.

5. The herein-described stirrup, composed of the outer section, B, provided with the depending edge anges, b, and the opening e2 near its upper end, the inner section, C, pivoted to the outer section between said anges at its lowenend, the bracket D, Secured tothe EDGAR ALvEN LEINAED. GEORGE WESLEY SHEETS.

Witnesses as to Edgar A. Leinard:

MARTIN L. MASON, JESSE LEINAED. j Witnesses as to signature of Sheets:y

J As. MARION, F. C. RIED. 

